Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 201

Chapter 201

Alpha Ethan’s POV

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I sat in my study, my pen gliding across the parchment as I reviewed the stack of documents piling up on my

desk.

The work had been neglected for far too long, and the weight of responsibility pressed heavily against my shoulders. Being alpha wasn’t only about strength or dominance it was about keeping every corner of the pack running efficiently. And right now, I was behind.

The quiet of the study was broken by the soft creak of the door opening. Without looking up, I caught the familiar scent and presence.

“Matthew,” I said, my voice steady, though my eyes remained fixed on the papers.

He stepped inside, his gaze drawn immediately to the document I was holding. “Alpha,” he greeted with a small nod, his tone respectful but carrying the ease of someone who had walked into this office countless times before.

“What is it?” I asked, placing the paper down.

“That file you’re holding-” he gestured toward the top sheet, “-was just brought in. It’s the summary of the project that needs to be finalized for the renovations in the pack house.”

I glanced at it again, the neat rows of figures and proposed schedules staring back at me. Of course. That had been waiting for days now.

Matthew leaned forward slightly. “We should get started on it. The council will expect updates by the week’s end.”

I gave a sharp nod. “Then let’s not waste time.”

Together, we bent over the document, our pens scratching as we reviewed budgets, assigned labor, and identified weak points in the proposal. From there, the work seemed to grow legs, stretching into other folders, additional reports, and unsigned orders. Paperwork was a burden, but Matthew’s sharp mind and efficient manner kept the process moving.

Hours might have passed–it was hard to tell with the way the fire crackled in the corner and the silence outside weighed heavily around us–when the rhythm of work was broken by a knock at the door.

“Come in,” I called, not lifting my eyes from the page in front of me.

The door opened slowly, and a soft voice reached me before the scent did. Ava.

She stepped inside, holding a delicate tray with a glass of juice and a small cookie. Her steps were light, deliberate, as though she wanted the moment noticed. When she reached my desk, she set the tray down, her fingers brushing the edge of the glass.

I finally raised my eyes to her, and for a split second, my chest tightened–not because of Ava, but because of the memory that struck me in that exact moment.

19:14 Wed, Sep 17 .

Chapter 201

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Years ago, when I had worked late into the night, someone else had walked in much the same way. Raven. She had carried tea instead of juice, and instead of a cookie, she had offered me a simple piece of bread she’d baked herself. She had smiled nervously, unsure if she was allowed to intrude, and when I had tried to send her away, she had insisted softly, reminding me that even Alphas needed care.

And when I had finally given in, she had massaged the tension out of my shoulders with hands that shook at first, but soon grew confident.

The warmth of her touch had lingered with me longer than I had admitted to anyone–long after she had

gone.

“Aren’t you going to drink it?” Ava’s voice broke into my thoughts, dragging me back to the present.

I blinked, my jaw tightening as I looked at her again.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, her brow furrowing.

“Nothing,” I said quickly, forcing my tone into something smooth. “Just… surprised.”

Her lips curved into a small smile. “You shouldn’t be. I’m your wife. Taking care of you is what I’m supposed to do.”

I inclined my head, though my throat felt oddly dry. Ava lingered only a heartbeat longer before turning and leaving the study, her perfume trailing faintly behind her.

As the door clicked shut, Matthew chuckled under his breath, glancing at me with that knowing grin he wore whenever he saw something he thought worth teasing me about.

“What?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“Nothing,” he said lightly. “Just… you look like a man who doesn’t know what to do with the attention his wife is giving him.”

I scowled at him, though the corner of his mouth tugged upward all the same. “Focus on the work,” I muttered, dragging the next file toward me.

We buried ourselves back into the documents, the silence returning to settle comfortably between us. But then, midway through our work, a sudden ringing cut sharply through the air.

Matthew’s phone.

He frowned, pulling it from his pocket. The device buzzed insistently, and without thinking much of it, he answered. “Hello?” His voice was casual, though the expression on his face quickly shifted as the person on the other end began speaking.

He placed the phone on loudspeaker, setting it on the table between us. A male voice, strained and hurried, filled the study.

“The person who’s been occupying the apartment,” the voice said quickly, “has not been home for over two months now. We checked. And I’ve sent over the photos to confirm.”

19:15 Wed, Sep 17 d

Chapter 201

A silence fell. The kind of silence that wasn’t peaceful but suffocating.

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Matthew’s hand froze where it rested against the table, his knuckles paling. His eyes didn’t meet mine.

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